Background information

In order to avoid the risk of shortages and to improve the fluidity of all road haulage operations, disturbed in particular by the re-establishment of border controls in certain countries, a decree of 20 March 2020 allows the sector to temporarily derogate from the rules on driving time. The derogations were allowed for a 30-days period. According to the decree, the COVID-19 crisis is 'an exceptional situation making it impossible to supply the territory in strict compliance with European regulations on driving and rest periods for road drivers'.

Content of measure

The maximum durations for national and international road haulage operations, as provided for in Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No. 605/2006 of 15 March 2006, are increased by 30 days. The daily driving time is thus limited to 10 hours per day or 11 hours per day twice a week, instead of the nine hours which may be increased to 10 hours twice a week. And the weekly driving time is temporarily limited to 60 hours per week and 102 hours over two consecutive weeks, as opposed to 56 hours and 90 hours over two consecutive weeks under normal circumstances. These provisions are applicable from 21 March 2020 by virtue of a decree dated the same day.

Use of measure

No data yet available.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Employees in standard employment Self-employed	Does not apply to businesses	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government	No special funding required

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	Informed	Informed
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: Unknown

Involvement

N/A

Views and reactions

The employers' organisation must have been informed by the Ministry of Transport. There was no known involvement of trade union organisation in the decision.

Sectors and occupations

Sources

• 20 March 2020: Décret no 2020-280 du 20 mars 2020 relatif à l’entrée en vigueur immédiate de quatre arrêtés (www.legifrance.gouv.fr)
• 20 March 2020: Arrêté du 20 mars 2020 portant dérogation temporaire aux règles en matière de temps de conduite pour le transport routier de marchandises (www.legifrance.gouv.fr)